Shloka 35
Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
न त्वं विस्मृतशस्त्रास्त्रान् विरथान् भयसंवृतान् । हंस्यन्यासक्तविमुखान् भग्नचापानयुध्यत: ॥ ३५ ॥
na tvaṁ vismṛta-śastrāstrān virathān bhaya-saṁvṛtān haṁsy anyāsakta-vimukhān bhagna-cāpān ayudhyataḥ
ఓ మహారాజా, రథం కోల్పోయినవారిని, ఆయుధాస్త్రాల వినియోగం మరిచినవారిని, భయంతో కుంగినవారిని, యుద్ధం కాక ఇతర ఆసక్తుల్లో మునిగినవారిని, లేదా విల్లు విరిగి యుద్ధం చేయలేని వారిని—మీరు సంహరించరు.
There are principles that govern even fighting. If an enemy has no chariot, is unmindful of the fighting art because of fear, or is unwilling to fight, he is not to be killed. Kaṁsa’s ministers reminded Kaṁsa that despite his power, he was cognizant of the principles of fighting, and therefore he had excused the demigods because of their incapability. “But the present emergency,” the ministers said, “is not intended for such mercy or military etiquette. Now you should prepare to fight under any circumstances.” Thus they advised Kaṁsa to give up the traditional etiquette in fighting and chastise the enemy at any cost.
FAQs
This verse teaches that it is against dharma to kill those who are unarmed, frightened, without a chariot, distracted or turned away, with broken weapons, or who are not fighting.
Vasudeva tries to restrain Kaṁsa’s violent rage by reminding him of kṣatriya standards—urging him not to commit further adharma by killing defenseless or noncombatant persons.
Avoid exploiting people when they are vulnerable—act with restraint and fairness, and do not “attack” others (through words, power, or influence) when they cannot reasonably defend themselves.